Pick a Little, Talk a Little, Pick a Little

The mediation process in the legal suit by Governor Made Mangku Pastika against The Bali Post returned to Denpasar’s District Court on Thursday, January 12, 2012. The Governor returned to court for the second time in the mediation process seeking to resolve his claim for US$ 16.6 million in damages against the island’s leading daily newspaper.

The mediation process now underway does not bring the opposing parties together, but, rather, involves separate meetings held between each party with the court-appointed mediator, John Pieter Purba. Thursday’s meeting saw Pastika, accompanied by a team of lawyers, met privately with Purba on the second floor of the Denpasar Courthouse.

Pastika’s entourage reportedly included a large entourage of muscular young men dressed in black and thought to be members of a local youth organization supporting the Governor’s legal action against the newspaper.

As reported by Radar Bali, this is the second mediation session attended by the Governor following an initial proceeding held on December 19, 2011.

Thursday’s session lasted one hour with Pastika refusing comment to the press after leaving the court house, except to say, “the agenda today, is a continuation of the mediation process in the effort for a peaceful settlement."

The Governor refused to answer reporters who asked him to estimate the chances of a peaceful settlement with the Bali Post, saying it would be improper to comment while the mediation process is underway.